I have been piercing for about 2 years now and find it to be one of the most enjoyable and challenging things to do aside from being with my two kids. I have always been very interested in adornment. I also have always had a fondness for indigenous people around the world and the way they choose to adorn their bodies and why.
At A Glance Author RAFAEL PONCE Contact RAFAEL PONCE@bme.anon IAM RAFAEL PONCE When Five years ago Artist Chris Kane Studio Body Rites of Austin Location Austin Texas When I decided to become a piercer I wasn't sure what steps to take. I visited several shops and was able to determine what was right and what wasn't. I also had asked a million questions, called shops in other cities, looked online, and put a game plan together. I took a class at Gauntlet in San Francisco. At the end of that class I had done a few highly supervised piercings which I took pictures of.
My next step was to put a sort of portfolio and resume together and start going to all the shops I thought were the right shops. I had also contacted the V.P. of the A.P.P.* and was given his much appreciated advice. I spoke to the person he told me to and landed an apprenticeship a week later at Body Rites of Austin under Chris Kane. I moved 100 miles from where I was living to Austin.
I apprenticed about a year, about 45-50 hours a week, sometimes more but rarely less. I also had another full time job during this time because, as an apprentice, I received no money. It didn't matter how tired I was or if I was feeling well or whatever, I was expected to be there all the time. Even during times when I was extremely sick I was expected to be there and even run to fetch food in 10 degree wet winters (with bronchitis)! To Chris the only thing that mattered was that I pay my dues! This was a tough deal to manage with a son, (my youngest son wasn't born yet) but Chris Kane was a great example. I also had the honor of working with Ron Garza and Ricky Baronoski who were great examples as well. I would like to think that my skill and my technique reflect a little or a lot of each of them.
One of the things we did during my apprenticeship was some facial scarification on me, this was sort of a tradition with apprentices at this studio "to show heart", I chose a simple design that I felt fit the symmetry of my face, six horizontal cuts, 3 on each cheek, this was pretty painful, Chris had a hard time cutting me, for some reason my face was like leather, so even this simple design proved long and drawn out. The cuts are pretty crooked but I didn't really want them perfectly straight. Afterwards I rubbed the ash from burnt sage into them, the cuts paled in comparison compared to the sting from the ash! I broke them open over the next 2 days to rub more ash into them. I felt like I was finally starting to recognize myself. I have since done 2 vertical cuts on my face, myself and rubbed ink into them, and achieved the same discoloring affect as the ash.
I was working full time at Body Rites of Austin, where I was in charge of ordering, inventory and scheduling gaps. Recently the opportunity arose for me to open my own studio, and considering I was already working 5-7 days a week and managing a whole studio, I thought this would be a great opportunity to do something more with what I have, and to be able to offer more to my children as a father.
I opened Body Evolution, in Austin Texas and am currently relocating the studio to a much better area with a very close friend of mine, and will be operating under the name Body Adorned / Body Evolution. We will be a full service tattoo and body piercing studio offering the highest quality at a competitive price.
I give everyone 100% and do my best to educate my clients as to why a certain type of jewelry or a certain placement may be necessary for a piercing as well as how to take care of themselves and their piercing. I hold the same very high standards I was taught by everyone involved, and I think there will always be something more to learn. This is something I would never give up. I truly have my heart set in this. I have made some very good friends in this industry and I am constantly meeting more!
I can be reached at Body Evolution just about anytime @ (512)377-2639(body). The phone line is still open and running with an answering machine, even during re-location. Feel free to call the studio for any information or emailed at: Rponce3@austin.rr.com
-Rafael Ponce